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Sheriff's K-9 (Sergeant "Duak") Retires from Service

03/04/2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

Operation Commander/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351

ANOTHER FALLEN OFFICER AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Jefferson County, Arkansas - March 4, 2011 – For the better part of the last decade, K-9s have faithfully protected the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Jefferson County, AR.  When it comes to a sense of duty, pound for pound, they have no equal.  They never hesitate to chase down bad guys; when they start barking orders, you can bet crooks listen; and when their shift is over, all they ask is a little kibble and a game of catch.  The difference between these K-9s and any other law enforcement officer isn’t their speed, agility, intelligence, bravery or commitment; it’s their legs.  They are the members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and they are valuable tools in the agency’s mission to protect and serve the citizens of Jefferson County and Pine Bluff, AR.

But today, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office’s two-dog K-9 team is down one: Sergeant “Duak”, a Belgium Malawa, has retired from an impressive tour of duty with his human counterparts, leaving only Sergeant “Prinz” available to help patrol the streets of Jefferson County and Pine Bluff, AR.  Sergeant “Duak” joined our agency in 2005 at the age of four (4).  He’s been sniffing out narcotics, chasing down suspects and protecting the citizens of Jefferson County, AR for the last five (5) years.  Now at the age of eight (8) and a five (5) year veteran of our agency, Sergeant Duak’s health has been failing him at a very rapid pace.  On 11-Oct-2005, Sergeant “Duak’s” then K-9 Handler, Sergeant David Wheeler came home and found him bleeding profusely from a chest wound.  An investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the JCSO concluded that Sergeant Duak had managed to free himself from his pin and was shot by an individual with a bow & arrow.  Following the incident, Sergeant “Duak” was hospitalized as a result his injuries.

The JCSO K-9 Unit continues to uphold the highest tradition of law enforcement excellence through continued training and dedication to duty of man and dog.  Daily, these K-9 teams prove their loyalty and dedication to our community.  They work day-in and day-out, ready to risk their lives at a moment’s notice ALL to protect you.

With the current economic downtown impacting municipal budgets, the Sheriff’s Office does not have the funds available to replace Sergeant “Duak”.  Our agency is hoping citizens will step forward, as they have in the past, and donate toward the purchase of a new dog for the agency.

A fund has been set up and donations may be sent to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 112, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.  Checks should be made payable to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, with the words “Sheriff K-9 Fundraiser” in the check notation box.

Further information about the K-9 fund-raising effort may be obtained by calling Major Lafayette Woods, Jr. of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at (870) 541-5373, or by email at lafayette.woods@jeffcoso.com.